The rhetoric has increased as officials and players from both the National Football League (NFL) and National Basketball Association (NBA) deliver their messages to President Trump, responding to what #45 has said about people, especially athletes earning millions, who then disrespect the US Flag and the thousands upon thousands of service men and women who have died to protect our Freedoms.Many people cite Colin Kaeperneck as the person who sparked this, yet it seems that Hillary Clinton is actually the one who really set this country on a collision course between the left and right. That she could accuse Trump of being a racist, misogynist, etc., and those labels accepted as fact by her followers shows how blind these people are. If Trump oppresses blacks, women and others as Hillary claims why do so many of those people work with him, and in key areas of his business and administration?

If Trump is really a misogynist why on Earth would he have had a woman running his campaign for President of the United States of America? Why would a black woman run the Eric Trump Foundation? There are numerous examples to cite how and why the labels plastered upon him by Hillary are simply not true. The video below by Lynne Patton really tells a different story than what Hillary spews.

When #45 stated that NFL players should be fired for disrespecting the US Flag I tend to agree with him. A football player, a basketball player, a musician, when they are on their stage and being paid, they are being paid to ENTERTAIN us, nothing more, nothing less. If they wish to speak up about what they perceive as social injustices then they should do it on the right platforms, get booked on national radio or TV and cite evidence of the oppression and who is actually doing it.

Colin stated, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Sorry, Colin, the United States is NOT oppressive. There are people who are, yes, but not the country as a whole.

When Steph Curry blindly accepts Hillary’s and Barack’s condemnations about our president and says he does not wish to visit the White House, fine. Don’t go. But don’t expect me to support you anymore because of your blinded beliefs that the president is the cause of our discontentment, our current division. Your pal LeBron called #45 a bum. Real class, Bron. You are losing all respect I have had for you (and what you do for your community). You, too, are blinded by Hillary and Barack. Barack is a Socialist, and an advocate for One World Order and the freedom we have here and now will not be available in that world.

Hillary is a traitor, she committed Treason against the United States. She left people to die in Benghazi and lied about it. She used an unsecured server and Blackberry and lied about it for months. She is a chronic liar. Remember when she was running for president in 2007-2008 and claimed, “I remember landing under sniper fire in Bosnia.” This was proven a lie with video footage, all was peaceful. When she and Slick Willie left the White House in 2001 they had taken $190,000 in valuables that were not their property, i.e., they stole the items. And, yet, you supported her for president. Steph, Bron, why on Earth would you do that? How could you do that?

Open your eyes and take a real look at what is happening. The Oakland Warriors stated, “in lieu of a visit to the White House, we have decided that we’ll constructively use our trip to the nation’s capital in February to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion—the values that we embrace as an organization.”

Let us discuss what they want to celebrate: “equality, diversity and inclusion.”

What do you call a college campus that cancels speaking engagements by conservatives? And this week they cancelled “Free Speech Week.” Why did the Oakland Warriors or, better yet, Steph, not speak out against UC Berkeley for their blatant disregard and disrespect for the First Amendment? Seems quite hypocritical to me.

These athletes could learn a few things by listening to two-time heavyweight champion and Olympic Gold Medalist George Foreman, who criticized people such as Kaepernick for kneeling during the National Anthem, and who said, “A lot of [Americans] died in war so that they could have that privilege. We all came in the era where we were patriotic. The greatest day of my life was when I put on the colors, representing the United States.”

Foreman added, “I love the United States, and I love the flag.”

Let me state, for the record, that I am a Patriot. I am also a direct descendant of Chief White Hair of the Osage Indian Nation. And, I am related to Patrick Henry and deeply believe in his words: “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” It is because of Henry, James Madison and a handful of others that we actually have the Bill of Rights because the US Constitution, as originally written, did not lay out individual rights.

And, even though our country may be flawed because of individual agendas by people who are suppressive and oppressive to others, not just minorities, it is still the best country in which to live and raise a family.

I am sorry, but if you disagree with that statement above, then you should move to whatever country it is you feel is better. Period.

Peaceful protest is fine, but on a stage where you are paid millions per year to entertain, it is, in my humble opinion, totally inappropriate to disrespect the US Flag and the men and women of our military who have kept – and do keep – us free.

Citizens of this great country must wake up and realize that politicans do NOT create the economy. In fact, they bleed it, more often than not, through frivolous and zealous spending.

Likewise, the elected representatives of Main Street USA need to realize that government does not affect the economy in ways they think it does.

What really moves the U.S. financially, in all ways, is the private sector. A healthy American business front is the only thing that is needed to turn a poor economic environment into a strong and vibrant one.

Politicians generate tons of rhetoric about “jobs and the economy” and how they have plans to improve these areas for the people.

The only jobs created (or sustained) in any significant volume that add to the economy are in the private sector. And each and every job created by politicos in the public arena costs taxpayers more than the overall benefits produced. Capitol Hill has, for several decades now, grown the public sector into a giant labyrinth of the economy.

Any first year student of United States government knows, in no uncertain terms, that the Founding Fathers did not endorse a vast government body reaching into all areas of society. Quite the opposite. The federal government was formed for a few specific reasons.

They had studied many forms of government, studied the rise and fall of governments, and studied what makes a government good or bad when they wrote and passed the documents creating the United States.

Some knew that any government body is not ideal. Witness Thomas Paine, who said, “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.”

The size and scope of government very much concerned them.

Consider that Thomas Jefferson said, “Most bad government has grown out of too much government,” as well as, “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

Patrick Henry, fearing an overbearing giant, said, “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”

They also knew that people of questionable character and morals would undoutedly gain entry to the public sector.

Noah Webster, the father of American education, wrote as a warning, “If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes; Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.”

It is now a given that earmarks (legislative provisions) are attached by the hundreds to large pieces of legislation (costing all taxpayers billions) which are, in reality, for the politician’s selfish and local purposes.

Citizens of America need to realize that government today has grown, gradually over scores of years, into something too big to continue to feed. It has bankrupt this nation and yet those elected to represent and serve the people still expect (demand) taxpayers to provide vast sustenance for their “work.”

Government must change. The United States must become, once again, “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” as Abraham Lincoln stated in his Gettysburg Address, and not what it has eroded into – of, for and by the politicians.

The egos residing at Capitol Hill, those same egos voted to hold office and act as representatives of Main Street USA, have proven to be dangerous to America.

The theater and dramatics surrounding the “historic” agreement to lift the debt ceiling have proven once again that for a person to be a part of the House, Senate or White House they must have a huge ego that does not concern itself with what is right for the people.

Their egos dictate to them that they must be right and others must be wrong and damn the consequences.

For a group of supposedly bright people to allow the “debt crisis” to roll to the 11th hour-plus, knowing full well for months that August 2, 2011, would come and go is all the proof needed to brand politicians as egotistical-to-the-extreme.

Witness, there is nothing at all historic about lifting the debt ceiling. That has been done time and again to ensure that future generations of politicians can spend freely, without regard to the damage created for future generations of Americans.

What is needed in Washington DC is not another huge ego, but a leader who leads by example. A person who can cut waste in his/her own sphere (i.e., cut foreign travel by members of Congress, cut their own salary, cut their office expenses dramatically, eliminate taxpayers footing the bill for members of Congress to visit home, etc.)

And during all the “savings” announced under the “historic” deal there has been absolutely no mention of doing away with earmarks. Cutting those pesky pieces of pork would save taxpayers between $300 and $400 billion in a decade and be an immediate expense reduction.

There is no doubt that Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Madison and the other Founding Fathers are disgusted at the actions (as well as inactions) by those elected officials who put themselves above the citizens of this great nation.

Capitol Hill has a short memory. Do they not remember that they are servants of the people?

The original U.S. Constitution was hotly contested by several of our Founding Fathers, fearing too much power was granted to the newly formed “federal government.”

Following the Philadelphia Convention, various statesmen, Patrick Henry among them, argued very publicly against the Constitution.

Several were concerned that the government proposed by the Federalists was too strong and a very real threat to individual rights and, in fact, believed that the President could become a king.

Let us not forget that for which patriots fought to ensure rights for each citizen:

1st Amendment-Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

2nd Amendment-A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

3rd Amendment-No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

4th Amendment-The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

5th Amendment-No person shall be held to answer for any capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

6th Amendment-In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

7th Amendment-In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Patrick Henry did not support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

The reason was simple; the document did not protect the citizen and gave too much power to centralized government.

The following excerpt is from his speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention held on June 5, 1788, whereby Founding Father, Patrick Henry, speaks of democracy:

“What, sir, is the genius of democracy? Let me read that clause of the bill of rights of Virginia which relates to this: 3d clause: — that government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community. Of all the various modes and forms of government, that is best, which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety, and is most effectually secured against the danger of mal-administration; and that whenever any government shall be found inadequate, or contrary to those purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.

“This, sir, is the language of democracy — that a majority of the community have a right to alter government when found to be oppressive. But how different is the genius of your new Constitution from this! How different from the sentiments of freemen, that a contemptible minority can prevent the good of the majority!” (He was speaking of the language regarding amendments whereby, in reality, ten or twenty percent of the population could effectively stop any amendement to the Constitution. Thus “We the people…” would have become very meaningless without protection of the rights espoused in the Declaration of Independence.)

While Patrick Henry failed to convince the Virginia convention to defeat ratification, his pursuit of individual liberty was relentless and led to the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

We need people such as Patrick Henry in government today fighting for Main Street USA.

For true democracy.

For smaller, less controlling government.

For speaking up, against any odds, for the rights of each individual American.

I am not quite sure why passing and implementing a one trillion dollar-plus healthcare reform package is necessary for our nation’s economic recovery as healthcare was NOT what brought the economy down.

Healthcare, as pointed out by President Obama, is 17.6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Everything I examine regarding the GDP and what makes up the GDP combine healthcare and social assistance, so that statement is a little misleading – and incorrect.
Let us take a glimpse of the GDP.

The US Department of Labor pegged the US GPD just under $14.2 Trillion for 2008.

In reviewing the DOL spreadsheet the sector that makes up the largest percentage of GDP is real estate (including sales, rental, leasing) at $1.783 Trillion, just over 12.5%. Running a close second is, you guessed it, government at $1.741 Trillion, which would qualify for the definition of “big government,” the kind Patrick Henry warned us about. Manufacturing comes in third place at $1.638 Trillion.

The figure for healthcare and social assistance is just over one trillion dollars, making it about 7% of GDP (not 17.6%), coming is just behind Professional and Technical Services and Finance and Insurance.

Perhaps President Obama’s advisors lumped some of the insurance sector into their healthcare equation to come up with 17.6%, but even if you added ALL finance and insurance to healthcare and social assistance it still falls short of that 17.6% figure.

That 17.6% needs to be clarified as right now it appears to be extremely misleading to Main Street USA. And, as many people know, you can make statistics say anything you want if you work at it hard enough.

Also, as most people are aware, debt is not calculated (or even considered) in the GDP figure and, as government spending and indebtedness is very much part of this healthcare reform, adding potentially hundreds of billions annually would definitely increase the GDP and debt concurrently.

But that makes it an extreme tradeoff for, at this point, with every dollar of government healthcare expense that gets counted in the GDP more than likely another dollar would be added to the national debt.

If, as the president says, “the stars truly are aligned” to pass healthcare reform this year, why is there such tremendous debate on the plan? To me, when the stars are aligned that means everything is picture perfect and it is smooth sailing.

This monstrous financial albatross being presented, containing earmarks and pork rind, is not what Main Street USA needs at present.

And President Obama keeps pointing out that people will support it when they compare it with the “cost of doing nothing.”

I, for one, am not emphatically stating that we should do absolutely nothing.

I am saying that it needs to be reasonable.

One trillion dollars (of debt) is NOT a reasonable cost. And that figure only works if President Obama’s goals are met, which, right now, are anything but aligned with reality. The proposal needs to be based on sound fiscal budgeting and expectations, not just goals that would be nice to meet.

Why cannot the House and Senate propose something straightforward with no excess baggage that produces a product at a reasonable cost?

Because politics is all about scratching backs.

This senator needs a few billion the next couple of years and he will support the bill. Add that in and claim it will reduce obesity. And that senator needs money so add something for his parks and recreation departments to further physical education. And on and on.

As I write this I wonder which is worse; the special interest and lobbying groups that spend billions of dollars annually to influence legislation and spending or the special interests of our own elected officials with their unquenchable need for pork (all of which, of course, is for the good of their constituents).